Info On Jack Dempseys

adgolde

AC Members
Feb 9, 2005
155
0
0
Kentucky
anyone who has/had a jack dempsey please give me as much info as you ca. such as what they eat, how big they get, what size tank you keep them in, etc.
 
Do a google search for Jack Dempsey fish.
As for the two I have, they have been the most subdued, wonderfully compatable fish I have. My oldest one has never shown the first bit of agression towards anyone, and, when recently paired with another somewhat smaller JD, the two by themselves have gotten along wonderfully.

They eat anything I feed them, although they prefer larger foods and are not a big fan of flakes. Peas, shrimp, convict fry, and pellets keep them happy and full.

JD's like cover, so provide some larger rocks or caves for them to hide themselves behind. In a stark tank, they will become jumpy and stressed.
 
Mine stays in his cave for the most part...only comes out when he's hungry or is chasing a tankmate out of his territory around the cave. He clearly is the boss of the tank which also houses a pair of salvinis, a firemouth, and a pair of jewels. All fish are young adults in the 3"+/- range of size. The Dempsey is the largest...probably around 3 1/2"+ right now.
 
would i be able to have two dempseys in a 55 gallon? or would that be overload?
 
2 should fit nicely in a 55g. Perhaps even a breeding pair if you can get your LFS to order some.

I have no experience with what types of tankmates you could house with a breeding pair, but I would suggest not having any.
 
when i was doing my research on JDs, most people did not recomend anything below a 75 gal for a breeding pair. And no tank mates with a pair unless it is a rather large tank (125 or was it more?)
 
not to sound sexest :rolleyes: , but what is better to get, male or female?, ill probably just buy one
 
If you plan to keep it permanently in the 55g, then I would go with a female as they don't get as large as the males and aren't as aggressive(usually). Males generally grow to 8"-9", while females grow up to around 7" and aren't nearly as 'bulky'.
 
Last edited:
AquariaCentral.com